Notre Dame sends seniors out with a victory

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The Fighting Irish topped off their season at home with a “W” on Saturday night against Boston College.

The Irish won 16-14 against the Eagles at Notre Dame Stadium.

"You're not going to win every game by a lot no matter what team you are in the country. There’s going to be games you have to grind out and win. That just kind of shows the maturity of this team,” said Team Captain Harrison Smith.

For 39 seniors on the team it was the last game they’ll play at Notre Dame Stadium. Before the game each player was recognized on the field individually.

Senior Wide Receiver Michael Floyd said it hasn’t hit him just yet. "I don't really feel very emotional right now, but I guarantee once you leave this university it'll always hit you,” said Floyd.

The Irish took a tough hit to their roster on Saturday. Senior Jonas Gray left the game with a knee injury in the third quarter.

For the rest of the team it’s hard news to take in. “It’s hard for me and I know it’s hard for everybody else and hard for the coaches, so knowing Jonas he’s going to keep going and whatever’s thrown at him he’s going to keep overcoming and make this into a positive,” said Inside Linebacker Manti Te’o.

Head Coach Brian Kelly said Gray will have an MRI on Sunday and they’ll know more after that on the specifics of the injury.

With some ups and downs and a hard fought win for the Fighting Irish, they still sent their seniors out with a victory,

“You can’t give the seniors something better than a win,” said Rees.

For the players, it might be starting to sink in.

“You realize how many times you’ve been through here, how many times you’ve been out the tunnel, and just the times you’ve spent with guys that you love and you care about and seeing some of those guys down on the field after the game I guess it makes it kind of real that you’re never going to come out here with them again,” said Smith.

Jonas Gray had the only Irish touchdown in the first quarter and Kicker David Ruffer added three field goals on the night.